Strikers Exit U.S. Open Cup with 3-2 Defeat to Battery
May 27, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Charleston Battery
(Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 27, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup following a 3-2 defeat to the Charleston Battery on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. The Strikers have now been eliminated during the third round in the last two U.S. Open Cups.
Despite controlling play for much of the match, the Strikers were undone by a late rally fueled by two Battery goals that came three minutes apart.
Fort Lauderdale opened the scoring when newcomer Bruno Nunes -- making his Strikers debut after signing with the club on May 13 -- scored his first goal for the Red & Gold after tapping in a Dani Sánchez squared pass across the six yard box in the sixth minute. The goal ended a 276 minute scoring drought for Fort Lauderdale that extended more than three matches and dated back to an extra-time goal in Ottawa on April 25.
The Battery, who play in the United Soccer League, evened the match in the 30th minute when Ricky Garbanzo scored after receiving a Navion Boyd cross to the back post.
Dani Sánchez helped the Strikers retake the lead before halftime when he was left unguarded inside the 18-yard box. A quick pass from Léo Moura found James Marcelin, who tapped the ball to Sánchez. The Spaniard then used his toe to fire a quick scoring strike from the edge of the area.
Charleston earned its second equalizer of the match in the 77th minute following a midfield turnover by PC. A wide-open Dane Kelly received the ball on the right flank, and centered the ball for substitute Zach Prince to redirect past Meves at the near post.
The Battery took a lead that they wouldn't relinquish fewer than three minutes later when a ball to the far post was headed in by Kelly.
Fort Lauderdale unsuccessfully pressed for the equalizer until the final whistle.
The Strikers were given a collective scare in the 69th minute when goalkeeper David Meves went down and remained so for more than three minutes after the leg of Battery defender Shawn Ferguson made contact with the goalkeeper's head. Meves remained in the game for the duration.
Fort Lauderdale finished the game with 10 men when defender Fabian Kling was sent off during second half stoppage time after receiving his second yellow card.
The loss moves Fort Lauderdale's record in U.S. Open Cup play to 1-1-4 (W-T-L) since 2012.
The Strikers return to North American Soccer League Spring Season action this Saturday when they travel to play San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. EDT.
Images from this story
 Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Charleston Battery |
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